2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 94-01 Steering Wandering Count!!

[Canadian Cummins]

Wandering -------

On another thread in this forum "My Steering Sucks", Snowking describes how to replace the steering linkage from an Inverted "Y" to an inverted "T" setup.

He has all the part numbers and costs in there also,(DC, NAPA, etc)

DC did this for a couple of years late 98 thru 99 I think, would have to go back to the thread. Checked the model year for inverted T its 99-2001

If the alignment on Monday does not cure it then I will be looking at doing this mod.

CC

 

[dflaugh]

96 2500 4x4 Wanders and pulls to the right,went through 4 track bars,new ball joints at 180,000,now have kit with 2003 track bar. It's better but you better be watching the road all the time!

 

[DCorbett]

01. 5 2500 4x4

 

[Canadian Cummins]

Wandering -------

Well, I had the alignment done Monday, the tech got it pretty close to the spec's, tracks realy good no more PULLING to the right.

Still wanders a little but that is in the steering box, need to have this adjusted at my local mechanic, also need the brakes "ADJUSTED" as she pulls to the right also when breaking, this will be the usual grease up the caliper pins, adjust the rear breaks etc.

CC

 

[KKeen]

98 24v 2500 4x4 borgenson shaft, lukes link on trac bar, adjusted top screw on box, some wander, gotta keep your eyes on the road. Older I get the more road I use

 

[SamBrown]

98 2500 CTD 5spd front end feels like sloppy joes

 

[JCyrbok]

2001 2500 4x4 quad cab.



Have had two alignments that have helped but after about 6 months right back to square one.



At 45k had new ball joints replaced and I think I'm getting close to needing front u-joints too.



Have 49k on truck now.



J-

 

[duaneparks]

01 2500 4x4 QC SB

 

[ETomasic]

2001 4x4 2500 Lukes links throughout except outer tie rod ends, those are next. Big honkin' steering box brace, the one with the bearing on the box output shaft, I forget the name. Gotta stay on top of it, if you sneeze, you are in the next lane. Bother-in-law is selling his identical truck due to poor steering. Why has this not been taken care of by DODGE?

 

[Mokerz]

1997 2500 4x4

 

[Joe Mc]

See signature for details 139,000 miles

 

[JFitzgerald]

On my 2000 2500 4x4, I feel play and wiggle in the steering wheel on the highway. It is getting worse everyday. It has 133,000 miles and I've had it since 118,000 so I don't know if it has had steering work in the past. The strange thing is that when I put the front end on jackstands and look for looseness, I can't locate any. The wheel bearings, ball joints and steering links seem OK. Tires were new at 120,000 and are wearing evenly. I wonder if the play is in the steering box, or maybe the track bar I keep reading about. Which is the track bar? Does it locate the axle laterally? I'd appreciate some pointers from you guys with experience taking care of this.



Edit: I just looked at the Luke's Link site and answered my questions. I'll crawl under the truck to see if the end of the track bar is loose and go from there.

 

[TJBrienen]

I'm looking for track bar info, My steering has been getting sloppy lately,(wandering) worse when pulling my travel trailer. I crawled under the other day and had my son do a quick back and forth on the steering wheel and I see the end of the track bar moving in and out 1/8" to maybe a 1/4". ( this bar goes from the passenger side axel to the driver side frame with the driver side going up at an angle, track bar right?). What are the spec's for this and can it be tightened or must it be replaced? I finally broke down and ordered a service manual from Dodge but it's not here yet and I have a trip coming up. any info would be appricaited

 

[Allnew2Me]

This is my record of trying to get my steering right. When

I bought my truck I noticed that the steering was not tight, it wandered and required a lot of input. I took it to a front end shop and they found that my track bar and tie rod ends were very loose. I fixed the track bar with the lindstad kit and that took about 80% of the play out. The next thing I did just this last weekend was to remove the drag link and tie rods and grind off the crimp holding the ball and cup inside the end. Then I knocked out the ball stud and cup, tossed that little spiral spring that had gone flat and replaced it with a flat washer and a 3/4" lock washer over the stud and nylon cup. I drilled and tapped the original metal cover for a zerk and then I clamped this sandwich together with the tie rod puller and adjusted it until it was very firm but still movable and then welded the disc back on. I have driven it only a few hundred miles so far but it seems to have worked well and I can grease them also. Long story short (too late for that now!) now my steering is totally tight, no wander. It does pull to the right but it did that before so I'm getting it aligned next week with an eye towards more caster. I figured that since the tie rods were throw away parts anyway I had nothing to lose by a little experimentation. yes the track bar aligns and holds the axle and the rest of the truck in alignment horizontally. this is the link for the kit I used http://www.bellefourche.com/lindstad/

 

[RRotzal]

steering wander

2000 2500 4X4 51,000 mi on my second track bar and wanders bad

 

[Pigpen]

1999 2500 4x4 with 115,000 miles on it... ... . did the Luke's link thing, DSS, ball joint replacement... ... . now I am looking at the brakes, going to try changing rotors and pads and see if that helps... ... . I am going to look into the steering box... ... ... ... somedays I miss my ol' Ford.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

bump... . figured this should stay in exposure... .

 

[MMCFATRIDGE]

2000 Ram 2500 4x4

2000 Ram 2500 4x4

 

[RFahlen]

The results of this topic are overwhelming, has there been anyone getting to dodge to get somethhing done? Just curious?



Ross

 

[bcoombs]

Steering

97 2500 4x4 automatic 100k $1000 to repair.



97 3500 4x4 automatic 184k too dangerous to drive. Starting to repair